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Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

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sgauvry

Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

Folks -

What is the hole seen in the picture below? I've put my lower intake on and about 1/4 of the hole is showing on each side. Are they used to pry off the intake? Or something vital and a cause for concern?

Steven A. Gauvry - 1985 F150 5.0 EFI

85lebaront2

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

Administrator

Steve, if it doesn't go into the crossover (passage underneath it) then it will not be a problem. If it does, then they sent you the wrong heads on that engine. Is there a casting number on the heads?

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

Gary Lewis

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

Administrator

I've seen a crescent-shaped hole there that didn't connect to anything, but not a round one. But, as Bill says, if it doesn't connect to anything there's no problem.

As for the casting numbers, they are on the bottom of a small-block head and are essentially impossible to see w/o pulling the heads.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Rembrant

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

In reply to this post by sgauvry

sgauvry wrote

Folks -

What is the hole seen in the picture below? I've put my lower intake on and about 1/4 of the hole is showing on each side. Are they used to pry off the intake? Or something vital and a cause for concern?

I have no idea what the hole is for, but I can tell you that the stock heads on my '84 302 (D8OE) had these holes, and they were indeed partially exposed above my intake from the factory. They caught my eye during disassembly and I was also wondering what they were for, and why they were half (or quarter as you say) exposed.

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

sgauvry

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

In reply to this post by 85lebaront2

Thanks, Bill, Gary, and Rembrant! The lower intake manifold is on so I cannot visually tell if the holes go into the crossover passage. I took and really skinny phillips and gently felt around. The hole ends and it seems it does not go into the crossover, best as I can tell.

Do you think the holes are there to make it easier to pry off the lower intake? I can't figure any other purpose.

Steve

Steven A. Gauvry - 1985 F150 5.0 EFI

Rembrant

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

sgauvry wrote

Do you think the holes are there to make it easier to pry off the lower intake? I can't figure any other purpose.

If was betting money, I'd say that is was more likely that the holes had something to do with the manufacturing process, and nothing to do with service. A locating hole for a jig or a fixture of some kind either in the machine shop or on the engine assembly line. As far as I know, it's just a blind hole.

I'll take a look at my D8OE heads this morning to check. They're off the engine now, so the holes will be easy to see.

sgauvry

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

Thanks! Nice looking truck you have there!!

While I've got you, I'm considering priming the engine with oil while it's still in the engine stand. I have a dummy distributor and will use a power drill. Advantages/disadvantages to doing this while still in the stand? I thought it may be easier to purge the air from the engine with regard to plug installation after the engine is primed.

Steve

Steven A. Gauvry - 1985 F150 5.0 EFI

Gary Lewis

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

Administrator

I really like priming the engine via the oil pump. I'm not sure it makes much difference, but I like having the engine in the vehicle so you can tell when the pressure comes up on the gauge. However, the drill will slow dramatically when the pressure comes up, so that may be a moot point.

So, in the vehicle or out doesn't matter, and if it is easier for you to do it out then go for it.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

sgauvry

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

Thanks, Gary!

Steven A. Gauvry - 1985 F150 5.0 EFI

Rembrant

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

In reply to this post by sgauvry

sgauvry wrote

While I've got you, I'm considering priming the engine with oil while it's still in the engine stand. I have a dummy distributor and will use a power drill. Advantages/disadvantages to doing this while still in the stand? I thought it may be easier to purge the air from the engine with regard to plug installation after the engine is primed.

I have my 302 pulled out and disassembled now. I'm actually dropping all the pieces off at an engine shop tomorrow morning. Getting them to go over the short block for me, and assemble the rest (GT40 heads, Comp Cam kit, Edelbrock intake, etc).

I was going to assemble it myself, and I was going to do like you and prime the oil system with a drill once the engine was back in the truck. However, now that I'm getting a shop to assemble and break-in/dyno for me, it's kind of a moot point and I forgot about it.

What is this dummy distributor you were going to use? I guess that would work fine, as long as you remove the drive gear from the distributor shaft. I know there are purpose built shafts for priming, but if you have an old distributor you can use, that should work just fine. Make sure to check rotation;).

Gary Lewis

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

Administrator

Yes, make sure the cam drive gear is off of the distributor you are going to use to spin the oil pump.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

85lebaront2

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

Administrator

I have a real nice one somebody sent me, works for 335 and 385 series engines.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

Gary Lewis

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

Administrator

Yes. But, which one of us is going to use it first?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

85lebaront2

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

Administrator

I have already used it when I flushed the cooler lines.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

Gary Lewis

Re: Hole identification on the cylinder heads - 302 V8

Administrator

Good! I'll probably make another one for my own use.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile